What does it take to have a thriving tech ecosystem in the Niger Delta? Tech hubs are the new buzz word for innovators and entrepreneurs across the African continent with investors pouring in money to tech start-ups, and here in Nigeria, there are a few well established ones. However, in the Niger Delta, challenges remain. We debated these challenges and offered some solutions on how to change the tech story of the Niger Delta. Read up on our post on it online and see how Focus Hub, one of NDLink's partners, is changing the story of the tech ecosystem in the region.
Have you met Ifeanyi Orajaka? He is the latest NDLink member we are spotlighting this month. Ifeanyi is a talented professional with skills and experiences ranging from systems design, renewable energy, installation/maintenance, business development, project management, GIS-based rural electrification planning, policies/strategy formulation, and conflict resolution.
Other news you may have missed on NDLink and may be interested in:
Our NDResources page is full of useful information that you may need for your development work. What can you find there? Reports on Strengthening CSO engagement in the Niger Delta, Corporate and Community Engagement in the Niger Delta: Lessons Learned from Chevron Nigeria Limited's GMOU Process, and Market Systems Development: A Primer on Pro-Poor Programming, just to name a few. Take some time to browse through our resources.
NDLINK'S NEWEST PARTNER - WECYCLERS
A Wecycler in action in Lagos
Wecylers is a social enterprise that offers households in low-income communities a convenient recycling service using a fleet of low-cost cargo bikes, essentially turning waste into value. Wecyclers motivates families to recycle plastic bottles, plastic sachets, and aluminum cans through their SMS-based incentive program.
For every kilogram of material that families recycle, they receive redeemable Wecyclers points oer their cell phones in return. Families can then redeem their points for goods that they value, such as cell phone minutes, basic food items, and household goods. Families receive collection reminders and rewards updates directly on their mobile phones making the benefits of recycling immediate.
Wecyclers currently operates in Lagos, a city of an estimated 20 million population, and an overburdened municipal government that despite its best intentions, collects only about 40% of city garbage and a mere 13% of recyclable materials are salvaged from landfills. Making a big dent - economically, socially, and sustainably -- in the waste management business are certainly goals for Wecyclers.
When NDLink visited their recycling facility in Lagos in August to learn more about their business, we walked away wondering how do we entice them to bring their unique concept and business model to the Niger Delta. Read about our interview with Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, CEO and co-founder of Wecyclers here.
*Would you or your organization like to be featured in an upcoming newsletter? Send us a note at info@ndlink.org and we'll make it happen!!
JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!
For more jobs, visit NDLink's jobs site today. Remember we post jobs every Monday and Wednesday and deadlines for applications for most jobs closes prior to our newsletter publication. Make it a habit to check in regularly if you are actively job hunting.
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